Arizona senior Sen. Kyrsten Sinema helped secure $24 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the City of Phoenix to advance the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Northside Rail Expansion.
“As the Phoenix region continues to grow, Sky Harbor Airport must keep up with increased demand. Today’s funding announcement will create jobs in Phoenix, improve local infrastructure, and ensure Sky Harbor continues to be an economic driver for Arizona into the future,” said Sinema.
“The trenching of the Union Pacific railroad track on the north side of the airport is essential to our Airport Development Plan and the expansion of the Air National Guard at Sky Harbor. Sky Harbor is an economic engine for our city and our state. We appreciate the support of our Congressional delegation and the US Department of Transportation on this project,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
In July, Sinema led the Arizona Congressional delegation and wrote to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao urging the Department of Transportion to approve the City of Phoenix’s grant application for Sky Harbor’s Northside Rail Expansion project. Today, Secrerary Chao called Sinema to announce the Department had fulfilled the City’s request.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest economic engine in Arizona. Each year, more than 44 million passengers travel through Sky Harbor, driving $38 billion in statewide economic activity and sustaining 58,000 jobs. The Phoenix metro area is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and Sky Harbor needs to expand to accommodate increased demand. The Northside Rail Expansion project, funded today, will help address increasing passenger, cargo, military, and general aviation growth.
